4. “To assist a child, we must provide him with an environment which will enable him to develop freely.”

Children thrive on routine and order from a very early age. They therefore need an environment that enables them to maintain order.

Teach your child to be responsible for picking up after herself (put toys, books, etc. away in the right place when she’s done playing, put away her clothes, put dirty clothes in the laundry basket…). This can only work if your child has easy access.

Be consistent. Sticking to schedules is beneficial for children.

Limit the number of toys. A recent study found that too many toys stifle children’s creativity.

5. “As soon as children find something that interests them, they lose their instability and learn to concentrate.”

A child learns best when he/she is interested in what he/she is learning.

Encourage decision-making. Let your child choose what he/she would like to do.

Your child learns better when he/she feels he/she has a choice.

Carefully observe your child and identify his/her interests in order to propose activities that support these interests.

Treating children with courtesy provides them with a model for their behavior.

Be respectful.

Make eye contact. Get down to your children’s level and talk to them.

Teach your child appropriate ways to express difficult emotions.

Model the behaviour you would like your child to adopt.

8. “What is generally known as discipline in traditional schools is not activity, but immobility and silence. It is not discipline, but something that fosters inside a child, arousing his rebellious feelings.”

It is important to differentiate between discipline and punishment.

Remember that kids will be kids. Don’t expect your child to act older than he/she is.

Discipline with intention. Discipline is about teaching specific behaviour, not about punishment.

Be willing to let some things slide.

9. “It is not enough for the teacher to love the child. She must first love and understand the universe. She must prepare herself, and truly work at it.”

Love is not enough. Sometimes we have to work on ourselves.

Be willing to reflect on your parenting beliefs and your parenting values. What really matters? What values would you like your child to develop?

Again, model the behaviour you would like to see in your child.

Be democratic.

10. “There is no description, no image in any book that is capable of replacing the sight of real trees, and all of the life to be found around them in a real forest.”

Children learn much by exploring their environment.

Provide opportunities to explore nature.

Propose activities that teach your child to engage with nature, like collecting leaves, stones, observing insects, naming the different colours in her environment, etc.